Tag: crown
Our Hope, Joy, and Crown!
Scripture reading for December 2: 1st Thessalonians 1-5
“They tell us how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead–Jesus, Who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1st Thessalonians 1:9-10) Every chapter of this short letter has a reference to Jesus Christ’s return. Believers are focused on the greatest event that can happen to them, the return of Jesus Christ! Jesus is alive and He rescues us from the coming wrath of God!
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” (1st Thessalonians 2:19) Paul was expecting a reward when Jesus came back. We should too! Every soul who has been saved through our ministry or giving to the Lord will bring joy and a crown and glory! This is the hope that we have as Christians!
“May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” (1st Thessalonians 3:13) Paul prayed for strength in these believers’ hearts so that they would be able to stand before the Lord when He does appear. It will be a glorious time for those who are ready. Purity and holiness are required to see the Lord and to stand before Him! May God strengthen our hearts today in preparation for that fast-approaching day!
“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will arise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17) Jesus is personally coming back for those who have trusted in Him. The dead rise first to receive glorified bodies. Then we who are alive will be caught up and instantly changed. This will happen in an instant at the shout of the archangel and the trumpet call of God. It will catch many by surprise!
“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1st Thessalonians 5:23-24) Thankfully, Paul prays again for the Thessalonians. (And us as well.) Thankfully, Jesus Christ is faithful and He will keep us blameless! What comfort! Amen!
Redeemed by my Lord!
Scripture reading for December 3rd: Revelation 3, Psalm 107-8, Proverbs 25
Key Scriptures: Revelation 3:10-12 “Because you have kept My Word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the Name of My God, and the Name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down from My God out of heaven and My own new Name.”
Jesus is coming soon! That is His Word for His Church, encouraging them to patiently endure throughout the trials of life on earth. A crown awaits those who endure and conquer! A permanent place in God’s presence is our reward. We will have His Name, God’s Name and the name of our new home, the New Jerusalem, written on us! We will be marked as His own for eternity!
Faith Confession: I believe Jesus is coming soon and He has redeemed me from the far country of sin! Lord, help me daily to patiently endure the trials and to conquer my fears, Satan’s tricks, and my flesh. I desire my full reward to cast at Your nail-scared feet!
Psalm 107:1-3 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.”